Chapter 50: Let’s Work Together

Lin Xiuqing, holding the large amount of money in her arms, headed home first. Now that they had earned some money, she felt it was only right to celebrate with her friends. She wasn’t a petty person.

When she arrived home, the entire Ye family had finished work and returned from the construction site.

“Aqing, I heard Yaodong had a good harvest on the isolated island today. How much did he make?” Ye Dajie (Big Sister Ye) asked curiously.

Ye Ersao (Second Sister-in-Law Ye) also stared at her eagerly.

Lin Xiuqing smiled, “Not much, mostly shellfish. They’re piled up in the backyard. Later, I’ll need Big Sister and Second Sister to help me shuck the oysters. We’ll add more dishes to the meal tomorrow.”

After saying this, she turned and entered the house. She kept her wealth discreet; how could she casually mention it and make others jealous? Just yesterday, Ye Ersao had been complaining that things were unfair.

Ye Ersao pouted but didn’t say anything else.

Lin Xiuqing placed the money on the bed and counted it again to make sure there were no mistakes. After confirming the amount, she took out the money she had made from selling shellfish. Besides a few small abalones, the snails and pen shells weren’t worth much, but there were so many, and the ones still in their shells were quite heavy. Altogether, she had earned over 8 yuan.

Adding the money that Ye Mother had previously given her from the sale of Yaodong’s goods, they had made more than 400 yuan today. For their family, this was a considerable amount—more than she could earn from weaving nets for a whole year.

Plus, the shellfish she had collected a few days ago had also earned around six or seven yuan. Lin Xiuqing gripped the money in her hands, feeling like there was a bit more hope for their future, and her expectations of Ye Yaodong grew.

It seemed like he had indeed been improving lately.

After securing the money, she went out to help shuck the oysters and sort the other shellfish so that they would be ready to cook tomorrow.

The next day, due to drinking too much the night before, Ye Yaodong woke up late. By the time he got out of bed, the house was already empty, with only the old lady watering the garden in the backyard.

“Grandma, did everyone go to help with the house?” he asked.

The old lady smiled, her face wrinkling, “Yes, there’s porridge and dried fish warming in the pot. Go eat. You must be exhausted from yesterday, you’ve gotten so dark from the sun.”

“It’s fine, being a little darker is healthier. Grandma, I earned a little money these past few days. Today is Saturday, and on Monday, I’ll take you to the county hospital to get a pair of dentures.”

“Ah? No, no,” the old lady quickly waved her hand. “I’m so old, why waste money on that? I’m fine eating fish, I don’t like meat! I’m not going!”

“But you were saying just a few days ago that you wanted them. Trust me.”

“No, I won’t go. You just earned a few bucks, keep it for yourself, don’t spend it on me.”

“It’s supposed to be pretty cheap…”

“Then I still won’t go! Hurry up and eat your meal!” the old lady said while gently pushing him toward the kitchen.

Ye Yaodong smiled. “Alright, I’ll just take you on Monday.”

After quickly eating breakfast, he headed straight for the construction site.

Before he reached the site, he saw workers carrying stones, collecting gravel, and pushing dirt back and forth. His mother had told him they had hired more than ten workers.

When he got to the construction site, he saw his second brother working with the laborers, carrying stones and laying them flat in a large pit.

An experienced worker was carving stone nearby.

The large pit had probably been dug the day before. In rural areas, houses weren’t built with piles but by digging a 30-40 cm deep hole and filling it with stones as the foundation.

Ye Mother happened to be carrying a load of gravel and saw him, quickly calling out, “You didn’t go to collect shellfish today, and don’t go wandering around either. Stay here and help out, or I’ll tell your father when he gets back.”

Ye Yaodong helplessly looked at his mother. He had come to help in the first place.

“Got it.”

“The gloves are by the stones.”

“Oh, where’s Aqing and the kids?”

“She’s up on the mountain helping to shovel yellow soil; that’s a lighter job. The kids are by the creek, playing while picking up stones.”

He nodded, then went to help his second brother carry stones under his mother’s watchful eye.

After watching for a while, Ye Mother was satisfied and picked up the shoulder pole and bamboo basket to continue picking up stones.

As for his group of friends, after Ye Yaodong had been working for a while, they started arriving one by one to help with the stone carrying.

The workers were all villagers from the same area, most of them being older people. When they saw the group of young men working hard for a change, they praised them, saying they had improved…

It made them feel a bit embarrassed!

Used to being scolded, suddenly being praised by others made them feel somewhat uncomfortable…

Azheng whispered, “Damn, I’ve always been disliked by everyone, but hearing them praise us now, it feels like I’ve actually made something of myself…”

Xiaoxiao nodded in agreement, “Yeah, I brought home a sack of shellfish yesterday. My wife was so happy, her face lit up like a flower. After I gave her the share of the money, she couldn’t have been more enthusiastic.”

“My mom did the same, gave me a huge compliment, even said next time she wanted to eat chicken, I should catch one for her!”

“Lucky you guys, getting all that praise… I’m just a lonely bachelor, no one praises me, I have to keep all the money to myself…”

The others turned to look at A Guang sharply, “How about a few rounds tonight?”

After handing in all their money, their pockets were empty again, and even Fatty and Chen Wei hadn’t gotten their share. A Guang’s words were only acceptable if he won a few rounds tonight!

A Guang glared at them and instinctively covered his pocket. “No playing, I’m quitting gambling!”

“Don’t even say that! You yell louder than anyone else!”

“Starting today!”

Everyone rolled their eyes!

What had been a dull and boring task became a lot more fun with their group of friends joining in. Lifting stones together brought an unexpected sense of enjoyment.

When evening came and work was done, Ye Mother quietly asked Ye Yaodong, “Do you want to pay your friends for half a day’s work?”

“No need. Just give them food. They won’t be working for many days, and they won’t come every day either.”

“Alright, I won’t keep track of it then.”

After working for two days, Ye Yaodong didn’t go on Monday, and neither did his friends.

The night before, he had already discussed with Lin Xiuqing that they would take the old lady to the county hospital for dentures on Monday, so he wouldn’t be going to work the next day. He asked her to tell his mother.

Lin Xiuqing gritted her teeth and counted out 50 yuan from the drawer, handing it to him. “Here, this should be enough, right?”

After all, it was money he had earned these past few days. She was reluctant, but only for a moment. The old lady really did care for him.

Ye Yaodong hugged her and kissed her cheek. He knew his wife was sensible and wouldn’t hesitate to spend money on the old lady’s well-being.

“It’s more than enough. If there’s any left over, I’ll bring it back to you.”

“Mm.”

On Monday morning, the old lady refused to go, repeatedly saying she didn’t have much time left and didn’t want to waste money.

Ye Yaodong insisted, “If you don’t come with me, I’ll go alone and get one made for myself. If it doesn’t fit, I’ll have to spend more money to adjust it!”

The old lady, feeling both upset and reluctant to spend money, slapped him several times before helplessly agreeing to go with him.

She was just afraid of spending more money.